Aloha 8.5 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Aloha 8.5 has a waterline length of 24 feet 6 inches, displaces 6,750 pounds, and carries 2,750 pounds of ballast. Her moderate proportions include a full beam drawn well down toward the waterline.

The solid, hand-laid fiberglass hull was molded in separate port and starboard halves. These were bolted together, then sealed and glassed over along the centerline before the lead ballast was lowered into the keel cavity and encapsulated. A shallow, swept-back fin keel allows for gunkholing, while a stout skeg supports the transom-hung rudder and protects its leading edge against grounding damage.

The deck is a balsa-cored fiberglass sandwich, reinforced with plywood at stress points. The hull-to-deck joint is chemically bonded and through-bolted beneath an aluminum toerail. Outboard chainplates attach to solid mahogany knees glassed to the hull. The mast, chainplates, and backstay are all grounded for lightning protection.

Above the waterline, the boat has classic curved lines that distinguish it from the racer-influenced Aloha 8.2. Features include a strongly sprung sheer, a straight stem with a pronounced chin, and an upright transom. The cambered cabintop steps down at the mast, reducing the height of the forward cabin to avoid a boxy profile. Teak eyebrow trim and a wide cove stripe soften the overall appearance.

Ouyang milled its own lumber and matched the teak for each boat. Reviewers judged the overall workmanship above average.

Rig and Handling

The Aloha 8.5 is rigged as a masthead sloop. Its deck-stepped aluminum mast has a single set of airfoil spreaders and is supported by cap shrouds, dual lowers, a headstay, and a split backstay. Internal halyards and reefing lines lead aft to winches on the cabintop.

The mainsheet runs from the end of the boom to a traveler on the transom. Because the boom extends only halfway into the cockpit, the sheet stays clear of the crew, though the arrangement makes sail trim awkward for anyone other than the helmsman.

Under sail, the skeg improves tracking and makes the boat easier to steer. Owners report that she is very stable, with a dry cockpit in a blow. One owner of a wheel-steered boat said she sailed by herself and steered better than a car. Period testers found the 1980 test boat well balanced and easy for two people to handle in light wind. A PHRF rating of 189 seconds per mile places her fairly among moderate cruisers.

Accommodations

The Aloha 8.5 uses her broad waterline beam and curved underbody to provide substantial interior volume. The saloon has facing settee berths, each 6 feet 3 inches long. The port settee converts into a pullout double, bringing the total to five berths. Above the settees are lockers with louvered teak doors and fiddled shelves. A bulkhead-mounted table folds down to port, revealing a shallow spirits cabinet.

Forward, the V-berth measures 6 feet 2 inches and retains generous width at its forward end. Outboard lockers and bin stowage provide additional space.

The molded fiberglass head compartment is to port and trimmed in teak. It has a manual sink but no shower. Opposite are a hanging locker and storage bins.

A U-shaped galley spans the area aft beside the companionway. Its alcohol or kerosene cooktop is mounted far enough inboard to leave room for a dry locker. The galley also includes a shallow stainless-steel sink and a large icebox, which drains into the sink by hand pump. Reviewers noted that both counter space and stowage were above average for a boat of this size, although the icebox lids fit poorly and the surrounding counter lacked insulation.

Machinery, Systems, and Steering

Engine access is a relative strength. Removable panels in the sides of the cockpit lockers and around the companionway ladder expose the Vire engine or the optional Universal and Westerbeke diesels. Earlier engines were raw-water-cooled, while later units used freshwater cooling.

Most boats had tiller steering through a slot in the transom; wheel steering was optional. Standard equipment included two batteries, a six-breaker electrical panel, shore power, and aluminum tanks.

A partial fiberglass pan adds structure below. The teak-and-holly sole and oiled teak joinery make a positive impression and are worth preserving.

Known Issues

The record identifies several recurring shortcomings in finish and detail. Locker interiors were often left with rough fiberglass that could snag clothing or skin. The pullout double berth required three furniture legs that had to be screwed into place, and its joinery fell below the boat’s usual standard.

On the test yacht, the V-berth area was wet because of rough fiberglass and gaps between the anchor well and the side lockers. The dealer attributed this to an isolated incident.

The balsa-cored deck is prone to delamination, which can become a serious defect if extensive. The icebox needs additional insulation to perform well, and its lids were noted for fitting poorly. Other concerns included water tanks that were loose in their mounts, a shallow sink, and limited gimbal travel for the stove.

The Verdict

The Aloha 8.5 is a thoughtfully arranged small cruiser with graceful Brewer-Walstrom lines, a skeg-supported rudder, and an interior that offers unusual volume and stowage for a 28-foot boat. Reports describe her as stable, dry, and manageable by a crew of two.

Her weaknesses center on finishing details and a few engineering compromises: rough locker interiors, a cumbersome pullout berth, the risk of balsa-deck delamination, and a poorly insulated icebox. These are matters a careful buyer can assess and remedy.

Pros

Full beam carried down to the waterline provides a roomy interior for the boat’s length
Skeg-supported rudder offers grounding protection and good tracking
Above-average engine access
Mast, chainplates, and backstay are grounded for lightning protection
Stable, dry, and easy for two to handle, according to owner and tester reports

Cons